The UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, is to launch its Lets with Pets campaign next year following its recent survey that showed 78 percent of pet owners had experienced difficulties finding pet-friendly privately rented accommodation.

The charity has also just concluded a survey of residential landlords and letting agents to learn more about their experiences and concerns when renting their properties to pet owners.

The campaign is being supported by chartered surveyors, George F White, who specialises in the sale and letting of rural property. An internal audit, carried out across three of its offices, revealed that 31 percent of its available properties would allow dogs, almost 10 percent higher than national figures quoted by Dogs Trust.

Many dog owners, whether through ill health or simply change of personal circumstances, find themselves in the position of having to look for rented accommodation.

The lack of dog-friendly rental properties nationwide means that many have no choice but to part with their four legged companions.

Annabel Hunter, head of lettings at George F White’s Northumberland office, said: “Many landlords are wary of allowing pets in their home, especially if offering only a short term tenancy. If a landlord has had a bad experience with past tenants allowing their animals to destroy furniture or dirty the property they may be wary of allowing future tenants to keep pets. Irresponsible tenants, whether they own a pet or not, incur further repair or cleaning costs for the landlord.

Being rural agents means that a large proportion of our landlords have animals themselves. With most of our properties, there are fields, bridleways, open countryside and beaches for dogs to utilise and enjoy, on the doorstep, making for happy dogs, contented owners and relieved landlords!

“A large proportion of rural families own pets and understand and sympathise with the everyday challenges that owning a pet can bring. Several of our landlords even have facilities for horses and ponies.

“I think tenants need to be realistic”, continued Annabel.

“If you have several dogs, or a small menagerie, unfortunately, you are restricting your choice of accommodation dramatically.

Lets with Pets is the latest Dogs Trust campaign to show landlords and letting agencies that renting properties to tenants with pets can be straightforward.

As part of the campaign, information and advice will be available for letting agents, landlords and pet owners as from April 2009, at www.dogstrust.org.uk.